Mike James’ scathing response and the immediate winners of the change of coach
To see him completely inert on his bench at Rhénus Sunday evening (90-99), almost resigned, confidence was conspicuously broken between Zvezdan Mitrovic and his group. Not particularly keen on stacking so many big names in his workforce, follower of an aggressive defense, the Montenegrin technician could not apply his philosophy (more than 80 points collected per match, highest total of the EuroLeague) while the executives seemed tired of their (ex-) coach, like Mike James, who publicly marked his incomprehension with the former ASVEL coach on two occasions (in Istanbul on November 19 and against Milan on December 10 ).
In fact, when the Roca Team formalized the separation with the best coach in its history, the one who embodied the club, all eyes were on the American star. “You wanted your own team, be careful what you ask for. You have already retired from AS Monaco twice in EuroLeague this season. Are you really a leader? “, Tweeted, for example, Daviin Davis, the current winger of Poissy, well known in Pro B. Privileged by his direction to the detriment of Mitrovic, without saying that the ax was necessarily played between the two, the former leader of the Brooklyn Nets found a scathing response in Kaunas.
In Kaunas, Rob Gray has found the inner fire
(photo: Manuel Vitali / Communication Department)
Invested as rarely this season, eager to involve all his teammates, the fist clenched with each basket in the money-time, Mike james released his best performance in the Monegasque jersey. Even though he had only played 162 seconds in the last two weeks … In the heart of the magnificent Zalgirio Arena, the Portland native won his ninth MVP trophy of the week by accumulating 20 points to 15/7, 5 rebounds, 14 assists, 1 interception, 3 stray balls and 7 fouls caused for 31 evaluation in 38 minutes. Chance, or not, his 14 offerings constituting his record in EuroLeague, and the second mark of his career, just behind the 15 caviars delivered against Sassari in Lega one evening in December 2018. Asked after the victory in Kaunas (108-97) by EuroLeague TV’s Mike James has underpinned all the good as he replaces Zvezdan Mitrovic’s replacement with Sasa Obradovic.
“We just had better energy today. Better defensive principles, better spacing, better ball circulation … We played more as a team. And we had a little extra motivation because of everything that’s going on around us right now. We obviously wanted to win. Any away win is important, but because of all the events right now it’s even better to win. I was able to produce statistics, it’s cool, but above all I’m happy with the success. That’s all we’re trying to do. “
Gray and Thomas:
the revaluation of the MVP trophy of the EuroCup final!
MJ is not the only short-term beneficiary of the arrival of Sasa Obradovic. If he will have to continue working on his selection of shots, Dwayne Bacon broke his points record (19 units at 8/19 in 30 minutes) but was sufficiently empowered by Zvezdan Mitrovic (32 minutes last Friday against Milan) not to enter this category. We think more of Rob Gray or Will Thomas.
Over the last two months, the former back of JL Bourg (read his portrait here) had played only 19 minutes of play in EuroLeague! Weighted down by his defensive limits, the hero of Gran Canaria was absent at this level (2.6 points at 22% and 0.6 evaluation). But against Kaunas, he was completely revived by Sasa Obradovic, playing the last 20 minutes of the meeting, for an honest record of 12 points at 3/7, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 interception. Even if his surprising clumsiness on the line of the Frankish Lancers almost cost a lot with a painful 1/3 in the money-time … Wink of fate, the awakening of Rob gray is approached against Jurij Zdovc, the coach who did not trust him last year at the Metropolitans 92 and who had admitted to being “surprised” by his explosion in EuroCup. What did not convey the two men to give each other a frank hug after the final buzzer.
A saving discussion between Rob Gray and Sasa Obradovic?
(photo: Manuel Vitali / Communication Department)
Predecessor of Rob Gray to the MVP trophy of the EuroCup final (in 2019 with Valencia), Will Thomas was also only a shadow of himself. Since a dazzling performance on both sides of the floor against FC Barcelona (28 evaluation), the 2017 Spanish champion was almost of no use on the floor (4.3 points and 3.4 rebounds for 5, 9 evaluation) and crystallized all the criticisms, in particular for his apparent nonchalance. His last outing against Milan was a disaster: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assist and 1 stray ball in 8 minutes. What create a definitive break with Zvezdan Mitrovic, who had not called on him in Betclic ELITE since … October 10? Surely. But since his infamous performance against the Olimpia, Sasa Obradovic has arrived and replaced him in the middle of the chessboard. Responsible in Lithuania (27 minutes of play), the interior from Maryland was able to justify the confidence placed in him: 12 points at 5/7, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 interception for 13 evaluation. An improvement to be confirmed on Friday against his previous employer, the Zenith Saint-Petersburg. To become, like Rob Gray and Mike James, the main long-term beneficiaries of the change of chef in the Principality.
Reference interior for the 2020/21 EuroLeague season, Thomas does not live up to his reputation
(photo: Manuel Vitali / Communication Department)